New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has publicly criticised the recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a low-quality deal that undermines New Zealand’s economic and labour interests. His remarks come just days after India and New Zealand announced the successful conclusion of FTA negotiations, which both governments claim could significantly boost bil

Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has said that the Narendra Modi government is dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to make way for the newly approved G RAM G law. She argues that the transition marks a major shift from a rights-based employment guarantee to a discretionary programme that could weaken rural incomes and job security. According to her, the change may affect millions who rely on the scheme for seasonal work, wages and protection against distre

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in recognition of his contribution to strengthening India-Oman relations. The award was presented during PM Modi’s ongoing visit to Muscat, the final stop of his three-nation tour that included Jordan and Ethiopia. This recognition adds to his record of over 28 prestigious civilian honours from nations around the world, including recent distinctions such as

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation on Thursday, December 11, as confirmed by US Ambassador Sergio Gor. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi expressed his support for President Trump’s ongoing efforts to help bring peace to Ukraine. The call comes at a time when both nations are navigating trade tensions following the United States’ decision earlier this year to impose a 50% tariff on select Indian goods. According to

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a special discussion on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, launched a sharp attack on Congress and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He said that the Congress leadership, instead of defending the national song, supported a view that led to its fragmentation, calling it a "tukde tukde" moment in Indian history. Modi stated that Jawaharlal Nehru believed Vande Mataram could provoke Muslims, a stance reportedly influenced by Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Mus

Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in Delhi this evening for a crucial two-day state visit, his first trip to India since the Ukraine war and the first since 2021. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both nations celebrate 25 years of the India-Russia strategic partnership along with the 23rd bilateral summit. The leaders last met during the SCO Summit in Tianjin on September 1, and this visit is expected to see multiple agreements aimed at strengthening l

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that the recent dip in India’s imports of Russian oil is expected to be short-lived, adding that Moscow plans to increase the volume of supplies to New Delhi in the coming months. He stated that Russia understands the external pressures faced by India, particularly in light of tariffs and policy constraints linked to its continued purchase of Russian crude. According to Peskov, Moscow views India’s approach toward its energy partnerships as

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India on December 4 and 5 for the 23rd Annual Summit, marking his first visit since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s Operation Sindoor. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin is expected to place significant emphasis on strengthening defence cooperation, including discussions on a potential new S-400 air defence system contract. The visit comes at a critical time, as both countries reassess the

Reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled or delayed his upcoming India visit due to security concerns after the recent Delhi blast have triggered widespread discussion. However, senior government sources have now clarified that such claims are misleading and factually incorrect. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu, initially expected later this year, is unlikely to take place in 2025, but officials emphasize that the decision has no

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th time, solidifying his long-standing political dominance in the state. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan, a venue that has witnessed several milestone political events over the decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, marking his presence for the first time since skipping the 2020 oath-taking. The event drew national attention as leaders from across the National

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made headlines as she attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. The event was marked by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, and several union ministers including Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and G Kishan Reddy. Before taking the microphone, Aishwarya touched the feet of PM Modi, who was seated on the stage, a gesture that sparked widespread conversations both at the venue and on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is positioned to advance crucial trade negotiations with the United States after securing a decisive electoral victory in Bihar, a development that analysts say could provide New Delhi with the political space needed to offer farm-related concessions long sought by Washington. The National Democratic Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, appeared headed for an overwhelming win as early trends from the Election Commission showed the coalition leadi

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday officially termed the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort a “heinous terror attack,” confirming it as an act of terrorism. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and observed a two-minute silence for the victims. A resolution was passed to ensure that every perpetrator and collaborator involved in the explosion is brought to justice swiftly and decisively. Union Minister Ashwi

The United States Supreme Court has signaled strong skepticism toward former President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs, raising the possibility that one of his most controversial trade measures could soon face major curbs. The case, which centers on Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), could redefine the limits of presidential authority in shaping US trade policy. For India, which bore the brunt of several

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kicked off his Bihar election campaign with a fiery speech in Muzaffarpur, where he launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Drawing attention to the recently concluded Chhath Puja, Gandhi mocked the Prime Minister for taking a dip in a “specially made pond” while devotees in Delhi prayed in a polluted Yamuna. “If you tell Narendra Modi to dance for votes, he will dance on stage,” he quipped, accusing the PM of doing anything for politic

A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many

Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that India will no longer buy oil from Russia, asserting that the South Asian nation has already begun reducing its dependence on Moscow’s energy supplies. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said the move reflects a broader international effort to isolate Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine. “India will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump

India is once again at the center of global diplomatic attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil imports. The Indian government swiftly denied the statement, emphasizing that its energy decisions are made independently and based solely on national interest. This move highlights New Delhi’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy amid increasing international pressure. Over the past two years

Hours after United States President Donald Trump asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that New Delhi would soon halt the purchase of oil from Russia, the Indian government issued a carefully worded statement reiterating its independent energy policy. The clarification underscored India’s commitment to protecting its national interests and consumers amid global price volatility, without directly confirming or denying Trump’s remarks. In a s

At least 20 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon in Rajasthan. The tragic incident occurred on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway when the vehicle, carrying 57 passengers, was engulfed in flames shortly after smoke was seen emerging from its rear section. According to local authorities, the bus had departed Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. and was en route to Jodhpur when the driver noti